Merger creates Russia’s biggest OP wholesaler

27 July 2007 — Moscow (RUS): Hereunder Bureaucrat Company and Top Pen are to merge, forming the biggest wholesaler in the Russian OP market.

The merge is said to enable both companies to extend the potential of their business models. The market share of brands exclusively represented in Russia by Top Pen will be enlarged and strengthened by the "huge financial and operational power" of the joined company. According to Bureaucrat and Top Pen, their combined portfolio of products will be the most extensive in the market and customers will be better offer, enjoying better process and better service levels.

In a joint statement, the two companies said: "The Bureaucrat and Top Pen teams sincerely appreciate the support and cooperation that our clients have extended to us over the years. We are convinced that the synergy of the announced merge will give both our existing and future customers greater levels of service, more success and more overall satisfaction."

Bureaucrat was established in 1994 as a computer accessories reseller before going on to become Russia’s largest OP wholesaler. Top Pen was also established in 1994 as a Russian distributor of leading OP brands.